Starbase Updates | August 2024

What's Happening at Starbase Texas in August 2024?

This page is a summary of the major highlights at Starbase Texas over the month of August in 2024. All updates are sourced from publicly available posts from the user /u/threelonmusketeers who updates the Starship Dev Threads on Lemmy and Reddit.

 

August 31st, 2024

• Not too much action reported today.
• Chopsticks work continues. (NSF (lightning!))
• New attachments added onto Starhopper prior to potential relocation. (Mary, RGV Aerial, Hammer)
• RGV Aerial post recent photos of Test Tank 16 at Massey's, Rocket Garden (labelled), Pad A (chopsticks work), and Pad B (flame trench).

Other:

• New CSI Starbase episode: How To Prevent Raptors From Destroying Superheavy Pt.2

August 30th, 2024

• Aug 29th cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 29th evening addendum: S33 is moved to the centre work stand in Megabay 2. (cnunez closeup)
• Pad A: Chopsticks work continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Construction of passageway between Starfactory and offices continues. (Gisler)
• Partially tiled nosecone in Starfactory has been turned around. (Gisler)
• B15 final forward section still outside Megabay 1.
• Zack Golden's thoughts on the upcoming booster catch tests. (TL;DR: "be patient")
• 1 hour road delay is posted for 2024-09-04 between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from pad to parking lot.

August 29th, 2024

• Aug 28th cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 28th evening addendum: Pad A chopstick rails are raised and lowered.
• In the morning, a curved reinforcement piece is installed on the top of the starboard chopstick.
• The 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th bumper pads are installed on the port chopstick. Bumper #12 is lifted but then lowered.
• In the afternoon, further chopstick and rail movements are observed.
• Starship Gazer photo of chopsticks work.
• Pad B: The CC8800-1 crane rolls away from the tower.
• Build site video tour. A new doorway is cut in Starfactory (closeup), and plants have been planted along the highway.
• The final forward section of B15 moves from Starfactory to Megabay 1.
• Closeup of new load points on B14.1. (Hammer)

August 28th, 2024

• Aug 27th cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 27th addendum: 4 more catch bumper pads are installed on the port-side chopstick, bringing the total to 5.
• Starkitty spotted :)
• Pad A chopsticks work continues. (NSF, Gisler)
• Pad B flame trench work continues. (Gisler)
• Office construction continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
• Nice photo of the Rocket Garden and Sanchez site, with S??, S32, S26, S30, B14.1. (Hammer)
• Test Tank 16 is in the "can crusher" testing apparatus at Massey's. (Gisler)

August 27th, 2024

• Aug 26th cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, three gas tanks were replaced on the chopsticks at Pad A. (ViX)
• In the morning, the ship quick disconnect is tested. (ViX, Gisler (humans for scale))
• At Pad A, the first new catch bumper block is installed onto the port-side chopstick, then removed, then reinstalled.
• At Pad B, a skate rail plate is lifted and lowered, likely for a fit check. Also visible in the timelapse are several crew lifts over at the Pad A chopsticks. (clwphoto1)
• Office construction continues. (Gisler)
• ENNEPS posts a timelapse compilation of Tower B stacking.
• Also the 5th anniversary of Starhopper's 150 metre flight.

McGregor activities (2024-08-27):

• Starship V2 methane header tank is spotted at McGregor.

August 26th, 2024

• Aug 25th cryo delivery tally.
• Following the removal of gas tanks from the chopstick carriages at Sanchez and Pad A, the chopstick carriage at Pad A receives a replacement tank.
• Chopsticks work continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Booster stand arm installation. (Hammer)
• Office construction continues (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Mostly tiled nosecone in Starfactory. (Gisler)
• The car park is filling up.
• Test Tank 16 is still at Massey's.

Other:

• Statement from the FAA to NSF regarding Starship Flight 5: "The FAA is evaluating SpaceX's proposed license modification for its Starship Flight h5 mission. SpaceX must meet all safety, environmental and other licensing requirements prior to FAA authorization. Safety will drive the timeline. Please contact SpaceX for information about the proposed changes to its license."
• Pad B flame trench excavation diagrams. (ChromeKiwi 1, ChromeKiwi 2)

August 25th, 2024

• Aug 24th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad A: Chopstick work continues. Crews cut and remove both hard-stop points, which stop the arms from closing too much. (LabPadre, Niall Anderson)
• Pad B: The CC8800-1 continues lifting components for a catch net on Tower B. (ViX)
• Some gas tanks were removed from the Pad B chopsticks carriage stored at Sanchez the previous day. A similar tank was later removed from the Pad A chopsticks carriage. Possibly indicative of a hardware swap, though not conclusive. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• cnunez posts recent progress on office construction, and a peek through the Starfactory windows.

August 24th, 2024

• Aug 23rd cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 23rd addendum: B14.1 is outfitted with two load point arms. S33 is connected to aft section and heads towards welding station. (LabPadre timelapse, Starship Gazer closeup)
• Not too much action reported on the 24th.
• Test Tank 16 still at Massey's. (cnunez, Gisler)
• Pad A: Work on chopsticks continues. (Gisler)
• RGV Aerial post photos of the build site and Pad B flame trench construction.

August 23rd, 2024

• Aug 22nd cryo delivery tally.
• S33 aft section moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2, notably very little heat shielding. (LabPadre, ViX, Mary)
• Aft section is mated with rest of ship. (Starship Gazer, Golden)
• New stringers observed on the nose of S33. (Golden)
• Raptors #349, #373, #348 and #366 are delivered. (Mary)
• Pad B: The LR11000 CC8800-1 crane working on assembly and installation of a catch net on Tower B. (ViX)
• Some large pipes are delivered. (clwphoto1)

Other:

• 1-hour reflight turnaround time for Starship is still the goal. Unclear if this is for the booster, the ship, or both. Booster would probably be easier.

August 22nd, 2024

• Aug 21st cryo delivery tally. (Yes, 21st)
• Aug 21st addendum: Move video of ship quick disconnect extension and retraction tests. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Pad A: Chopsticks work continues. Nice clear photo of actuator pistons.
• Pad B: Load spreader disconnects from tower. Work on flame trench is under way. (ViX, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• S30 receives a Mechazilla decal. Unknown if B12 will receive one too. (LabPadre, Starship Gazer, Mary, Gisler (sort of))

August 21st, 2024

• Aug 20th cryo delivery tally.
• Continuous flight auger drill moves from pad B to Sanchez. (ViX, Golden 1, Golden 2, Golden 3)
• Pad A: Ship quick disconnect is extended. All 3 bumper blocks are removed from both starboard and port chopsticks. Chopstick movement observed in the evening. Newly installed "acuter" (actuator) piston is spotted by Gisler.
• Pad B: The 9th and final tower module is stacked. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF 4, NSF timelapse, NSF livestream, Golden, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, cnunez 3, Gisler 1 (pre-lift safety meeting), Gisler 2, Gisler 3, Gisler 4, Gomez 1, Gomez 2, clwphoto1, SpaceX)
• LR11000 crane is on the move.
• Massey's: The "can crusher" jig is placed on Test Tank 16. Horizontal tank 2 of 3 arrives from Brownsville port. (ViX, Gisler)
• Starkitty sighted :) (ViX 1, ViX 2)

Other:

• Compilation of Tower B stacking. (LabPadre)

August 20th, 2024

• Aug 19th cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 19th addendum: Video of S33 downcomer and jig entering Megabay 2. (ViX)
• In the morning, the LOX downcomer enters Megabay 2 as well. (ViX)
• Build site video tour.
• Construction on offices and connecting passageway to Starfactory continues, and the two structures are now connected. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• Pad A: A "burn plate" is lifted onto booster quick disconnect hood, and tower cladding is being added/replaced. (ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Pad B: Elevator sections 7 and 8 are lifted. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Crews are prepping tower module 9 for its upcoming lift. (Gisler)
• Tanks which arrived at Brownsville port on Aug 18th are arriving at Massey's. (LabPadre)
• Test Tank 16 still at Massey's.

August 19th, 2024

• Aug 18th cryo delivery tally.
• The 9th and final tower module arrives at Pad B. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF, Gisler 1, Gisler 2 (pulley closeup), Gisler 3, Hammer 1, Hammer 2)
• Pad B: The CC8800-1 crane is partially lowered for inspections, then raised back to vertical. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2)
• Pad A: Chopstick weld inspections continue, and "doubler plates" are installed. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Golden 1, Golden 2)
• Work on the ship quick disconnect continues.
• Construction on offices and connecting passageway to Starfactory continues. (cnunez, Gisler, RGV Aerial 1, RGV Aerial 2).
• Build site: Possible new design of a ship downcomer is spotted. (Golden)
• Massey's: Test Tank 16 is lifted into test stand/cage. (LabPadre, Mary)
• 1 hour road delay is posted for Aug 21st between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from pad to Sanchez.

McGregor activities (2024-08-19):

• Possible second Raptor 3 test fire, lasting 169 seconds, which matches full duration burn of Super Heavy. (NSF)

August 18th, 2024

• Aug 17th cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 18th is a quiet day.
• Chopstick testing continues, specifically the rails. Sections of paint are stripped off to inspect welds. (LabPadre, ViX, Golden, cnunez, Gisler, Hammer)
• Ship quick disconnect in a sling. (Gisler, cnunez)
• Delivery of 3 tanks inbound for Brownsville port, likely destined for Massey's. (LabPadre, Golden)
• Delivery of 1 statue destined for unknown location. (Gomez, clwphoto 1, Hammer, ViX, background info)
• S30 still in rocket garden.

August 17th, 2024

• No cryo deliveries on Aug 16th.
• B14.1 moves from the launch site to the Rocket Garden. (LabPadre, NSF 1, NSF 2, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Hammer)
• Test Tank 16 moves from Starfactory to Massey's. (LabPadre, NSF)
• Pad B: Tower module 8 is stacked. (LabPadre, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF timelapse, Gomez, DeffGeff, Gisler, Hammer)
• Construction on passageway between Starfactory and the offices continues.
• Office glass installation continues.
• RGV Aerial post recent photos of Massey's, Pad A, launch site, Pad B

August 16th, 2024

• Aug 15th cryo delivery tally.
• Pad B: Tower module 8 is hooked up to load spreader.
• Pad A: Chopstick testing continues. The chopsticks have had bumpers added, and seem to be moving faster than in previous tests. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF 4, NSF 5, DeffGeff, Golden)
• Chopstick testing concluded: LR11000 lowers main block. Two SPMTs arrive with booster connection plates. Booster load spreader is lowered over B14.1. B14.1 lifted from launch mount to transport stand.
• 1 hour road delay is posted for Aug 19th between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from Sanchez to pad.

Other:

• Ringspaceflight sets up a Starbase tracking file on figma.

August 15th, 2024

• Aug 14th cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, S26 moves from Megabay 2 to Rocket Garden. (ViX, NSF)
• Aug 15th is a busy day.
• Tower module 8 arrives at Pad B. (ViX, NSF)
• Tower module 7 is stacked and welded into place. (ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2, NSF 3, NSF 4 (timelapse), NSF 5 (welding), DeffGeff, cnunez 1, cnunez 2, cnunez 3, cnunez 4, Gisler timelapse)
• S33 aft section (of the LOX tank) moves from Starfactory to Megabay 2.
• Office window installation is progressing.
• Header tank spotted on route from Harlingen Port to Starbase. (John Randolph)
• Pad A: Chopstick testing continues, likely to measure strain on the vehicle when squeezed. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2, ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF (real time), DeffGeff
• More chopstick tests: ViX 0, ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, ViX 5, ViX 6, ViX 7, ViX 8
• Drone inspection during chopstick tests.
• 2 hour road delays are posted for Aug 17th and 18th between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from production pad to Massey's.

Other:

• New Raptor tracking diagram from Ringwatchers.

August 14th, 2024

• Aug 13th cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, R-vacs (#205, #212, and #202) are removed from S26. Slight trouble with one of the raptor transportation carts. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2, DeffGeff 1, DeffGeff 2)
• R-centers (#193, #198, and #195) are removed from S26.
• S30 has been labelled as S30. (LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer)
• S34 methane header tank is spotted. (Starship Gazer, NSF, Mary) ChameleonCircuit render and explanation.
• Pad A: Chopsticks testing continues.
• Pad B: Load spreader is attached to module 7. No lift yet. (ViX 1, ViX 2, NSF)

August 13th, 2024

• Aug 12th cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, tower module 7 moves from Sanchez to Pad B. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• CC8800-1 crane slews and picks up tower module load spreader. NSF post a timelapse of crane reconfiguration and repairs.
• Chopstick work continues.
• Lifting "squid" arrives at Megabay 2.
• S26 moves from Rocket Garden to Megabay 2. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2, ViX 1, ViX 2)
• A passageway is being constructed between Starfactory and the offices. Office construction continues.

August 12th, 2024

• Aug 11th cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 11th addenda: Chopstick landing rails are tested, Starkitty is sighted :) (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Pad A: New gusset plates are added to launch tower. (LabPadre, ViX)
• Chopstick testing continues. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Pad B, CC8800-1 crane repairs: Replacement strut arrives. One strut is replaced, and re-reeving begins. Main boom is raised (NSF, ViX), auxiliary jib is added, block is installed and reeving is underway.
• Following the reconfiguration and repairs, the CC8800-1 crane rises fully. (LabPadre, ViX)
• Office building: Glass installation continues.
• Beyer posts a neat looping video of NSF's recent flyover of the launch site.
• cnunez posts a recent photo of a nosecone in Starfactory, and some closeups of the chopsticks and launch mount.
• 1 hour road delays are posted for Aug 13th, 14th, and 15th between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from Sanchez to pad, likely for tower modules.

August 11th, 2024

• Aug 10th cryo delivery tally.
• Aug 10th addendum: Great closeup of chopstick bumper pad installation.
• Fairly quiet Sunday.
• Work on the CC8800-1 crane continues.
• Chopstick movement observed. (LabPadre, ViX, Gisler)

Other:

• NSF post a nice timelapse compilation of the stacking of the first 6 tower modules of Tower B.

August 10th, 2024

• Aug 8th and 9th cryo delivery tallies.
• Aug 9th addendum: Chopstick alignment push rods are tested.
• In the morning, 3 bumper pads are installed, one is removed, and one is installed. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4 closeup)
• CC8800-1 crane is lowered, likely in response to the damage the previous day. (LabPadre, ViX)
• The jib mast struts are removed. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2, ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2)
• cnunez posts recent photos of the CC8800-1 crane, S30 flap, launch mount, and S31 tile replacement.
• RGV Aerial post recent photos of Massey's, Pad A, Pad B, and build site.

Other:

• IFT-5 is NET Aug 31st, per Elon. (3 weeks from Aug 10th)

August 9th, 2024

• Overnight, S30 moves from Massey's to build site. (LabPadre, ViX, Beyer, NSF 1, NSF 2, Gomez)
• S30 is transferred from static fire stand to transport stand, and moves to staging area near Rocket Garden. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2), ViX, NSF, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• RGV Aerial spots a triangular hole in the Starfactory roof, possible for Starhopper.
• CC8800-1 crane rises. (ViX, NSF)
• Comparison of crane size before and after reconfiguration. (DeffGeff)
• The CC8800-1 crane mishap: The boom is lifted a bit too far, and causes the jib to detach from its trolley and swing freely, which causes a mast strut to break loose. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2, Prince Faisal, ViX)
• Crews go up to inspect the strut; strut is back in place.
• Pad A: Chopstick modifications continue. Shaun Gisler posts photos of ship quick disconnect, B14.1 on launch mount, and booster quick disconnect.
• 2 hour road delays are posted for Aug 9th and 10th between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from Massey’s to production pad.
• 1 hour road delays are posted for Aug 11th and 12th between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from production to pad.

August 8th, 2024

• Aug 7th cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, a 3 ring LOX section moves from Starfactory to MB2, and is mated with existing S33 nose. (LabPadre, ViX 1, ViX 2)
• Test tank 16 and a nosecone spotted in Starfactory. (ViX)
• CC8800-1 crane reconfiguration continues. Looks like it is nearing completion. (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, ViX 4, ViX 5, Roger S, ViX 6, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
• Office construction continues. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• NSF fly over Starbase, and note that SpaceX now has full access to the patch of land between Starfactory and the new offices.

Other:

• First Raptor 3 test fire (Elon 1, Elon 2, NSF)
• Frost comparison from TheSpaceEngineer.
• Gwynne fires a shot at Tory. You might even say she shot well.
• SpaceX states that IFT-5 vehicles are "ready to fly, pending regulatory approval".
• NSF summary reading between the lines.

August 7th, 2024

• Aug 6th cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, B14.1 rolls out to the launch site. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF)
• B14.1 is lifted onto the launch mount. (LabPadre 1, LabPadre 2, ViX, Mary, NSF, Gisler 1, Gisler 2)
• New entrance to launch site is under construction.
• CC8800-1 crane reconfiguration continues. (ViX 1, ViX 2, Starship Gazer, Gisler)
• S30 at Massey's. Tank farm venting, and spin prime completed.
• 2-hour road delay is posted for August 9th or 10th, for transport from Massey's to pad. (Return of S30?)
• Starkitty sighted :)

August 6th, 2024

• Aug 5th cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, S30 rolls out to Massey's. (LabPadre, ViX, tibininin, NSF, Gisler 1, Gisler 2, Gisler 3)
• Reconfiguration of the CC8800-1 crane is underway (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3, NSF)
• cnunez posts an image of the build site.
• B14.1 is on the move, likely to the launch mount.

August 5th, 2024

• Aug 4 cryo delivery tally.
• Lowering of the CC8800-1 crane main boom is completed. (LabPadre, ViX, DeffGeff)
• Crane masts are lowered, and unreeved. (Gisler 1, Gisler 2, clwphoto1)
• Some sort of utility pole structure is erected.
• Static fire stand arrives at the build site and enters Megabay 2 (LabPadre, ViX).
• S30 is set for transport to Massey's, presumably to test the engine which was replaced.
• 2 hour road delay is posted for 2024-08-06 between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from production to Massey's.
• 1 hour road delay is posted for 2024-08-07 between 00:00 and 03:00 for transport from production to pad.
• RGV Aerial post a recent photo of the entire area.

McGregor:

• SpaceX likely running Superheavy catch profiles. Relight test had a 3m 13s gap, same as B11 between boostback and landing burns.

August 4th, 2024

• Aug 3rd cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, S33 common dome emerges from Starfactory and enters Megabay 2. Methane funnel has an interesting beehive shape. (LabPadre, ViX)
• S33 forward section is mated to the common dome. (LabPadre, ViX)
• R-Vac #398 (removed from S30) departs from Megabay 2.
• Pad B: Elevator section is lifted into module 6. (ViX, NSF, clwphoto1)
• CC8800-1 crane slews and is lowered in preparation for reconfiguration.

August 3rd, 2024

• Aug 2nd cryo delivery tally.
• Overnight, ship lifting jig enters Megabay 2. Another B15 3-ring section is moved to Megabay 1.
• Pad B: Module 6 is lifted. (LabPadre, ViX, NSF 1, NSF 2, Gisler)
• Load spreader is lowered. It is thought that the CC8800-1 crane needs to be reconfigured to allow stacking of the next tower module.
• Build site: S30 moves from Sanchez to Megabay 2, and is lifted onto the back left work stand. (LabPadre, ViX, Gisler, clwphoto1)
• R-Vac #398 is removed from S30, and #384 looks to be its replacement (LabPadre, ViX)
• Office window installation continues (Gisler)

Other:

• RGV Aerial post Aug 2nd photos of the launch site, Massey's, build site, Pad B, and S31 in the Highbay.

August 2nd, 2024

• Aug 1st cryo delivery tally.
• Build site: Another B15 forward section moves from Starfactory towards Megabay 1.
• Sanchez: S30 flap work continues. (Shaun Gisler)
• Office window installation continues. (Shaun Gisler)
• Pad A: Crews are reinforcing the chopsticks (ViX 1, ViX 2, ViX 3)
• Pad B: Elevator section is lifted into module 5. Module 6 is hooked up to the load spreader. (LabPadre, ViX, Shaun Gisler)
• Road delay for transportation operations "from Sanchez to Pad" is posted for Aug 4th from 00:00 to 03:00. ViX speculates on potential candidates for transport: B14.1, chopstick carriage, tower module 7 (tweet 1, tweet 2)

Other:

• Elon posts a photo of Raptor 3 SN1.
• Comparison of Raptor 1, 2, and 3.
• Abbey Road.

August 1st, 2024

• Jul 31 cryo delivery tally.
• Jul 31 addendum: B15 forward dome reenters Megabay 1, followed by a 3-ring section. It seems likely that the two segments have been stacked.
• Pad B: Module 5 is stacked on the tower. (LabPadre, ViX, Starship Gazer, NSF highlight, NSF timelapse, clwphoto1, Ramirez)
• Module 6 rolls towards the tower.
• Pad A: Tank farm upgrades are underway. A tank is relocated by the LR11000 crane.
• Build site video tour: Crews work on tiling the lower hinge area of S30.

LC-39A:

• A crane is observed to be working.